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Country Overview

Ireland

At a glance

Same-sex Relations for Men Legal Throughout the Country?

Yes

Same-sex Relations for Women Legal Throughout the Country?

Yes

Legal Gender Recognition Possible?

Yes

LGBTI Orgs Able to Register?

Yes

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Ireland has become significantly more progressive on LGBTIQ issues in recent years. Ireland legalized same-sex marriage in 2015 by popular vote, and same-sex couples may jointly adopt. Transgender people may change their legal gender markers based on self-determination; no medical intervention is required. Ireland bans discrimination based on sexual orientation, and anti-discrimination laws have been interpreted to protect transgender people, although gender identity is not explicitly mentioned. Anti-LGBTIQ violence and discrimination remain serious issues, but public opinion is increasing toward accepting of LGBTIQ people. A 2019 survey suggested that 77% of LGBTIQ people in Ireland believed prejudice had dropped in their country in the last five years, compared to an average of 40% in the European Union. Although a bill to ban conversion therapy was introduced in 2018, it has stalled in the Irish legislature. The Roman Catholic Church opposes equal rights for LGBTIQ people and holds sway over politics and public opinion in Ireland. Still, a large majority of people in Ireland agree that LGBTIQ people should enjoy the same rights as others. 

 

Global Impact

Sub-Saharan Africa

Outright supports LGBTIQ organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa and works with mainstream human rights organizations to respect human rights and influence positive changes in laws, policies, attitudes and beliefs that cause discrimination against LGBTIQ people.

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United Nations

Our work at the United Nations centers around advocating for the advancement of the rights of LGBTIQ people.

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Asia

Our work in Asia promotes acceptance of sexual and gender diversity at all levels of society.

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Middle East and North Africa

In the Middle East and North Africa, we partner with local groups in various countries as part of our international solidarity work. We also work with our local partners on different topics through capacity building, advocacy, research and holistic security.



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Europe and Central Asia

Outright International partners with activists to fight for an end to human rights violations based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in Europe and Central Asia, where most of our work involves emergency responses to harassment, discrimination, violence, and most recently, Russia’s brutal and expanded invasion of Ukraine.

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Americas

Our work in the Americas continues to build on the fundamental and positive transformation of human rights protections in recent years. We partner with groups in the Caribbean that focus on ending gender-based violence and eradicating discrimination against trans people.

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Pacific

Our work in the Pacific aims to increase the visibility of activists, respond to human rights emergencies, and actively bridge local, regional, and international activism to achieve equality and justice.

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Human Rights Research

Since 1990, we have partnered with activists from all over the world to produce hundreds of groundbreaking reports.

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